Scientific Method and Models Notes

1. Holt: Ch. 1, Sections 2 & 3
Fusion: Unit 1, Lesson 3

2.  a way in which
scientists answer
questions and solve
problems
Organized process
Generally, 6 steps
Use all or some
Repeat steps

3.  Ask a question
 After making observations
 Only 1
 Form a hypothesis
 Use what you know
 If…then
 Testable
 Not right or wrong
 Possible answer to question

4.  Test the hypothesis
 Design an experiment
 Controlled
 Constants
 Variables
 Independent and dependent
 Measurements/Observations/Data
 Analyze the results
 Calculations
 Tables/graphs
 Relationships

5. What is data?
 It is information
gathered during an
experiment.
 It is organized into
a data table and
displayed visually
as a graph.

6.  BAR GRAPHS: can be used
to show how something
changes or to compare items.
 have an x-axis (horizontal)
and a y-axis (vertical)
 the x-axis has independent
variable
 the y-axis has numbers
dependent variable

7.  LINE GRAPHS: can be used to
show how something changes over
time
 x-axis has numbers for the time
period
 y-axis has numbers for what is
being measured.
 can be used when you're plotting
data that has peaks (ups) and
valleys (downs), or that was
collected in a short time period.
 Used for two sets of numerical
data (ex: time and temp)

8.  Draw conclusions
 Again: not right or wrong
 Does the data support your hypothesis?
 A guide for future investigation
 Communicate results
 Important!
 Papers, presentations, web site
 Keeps science going!

10.  A model is a representation
of an object or system
 Uses something familiar to
help you understand
something that is not
familiar.
 Physical, mathematical and
conceptual

12.  Mathematical equations
and data
 Calculations- such as force
and acceleration
 Many done by computers

13.  Based on certain “concepts”
 Take some data into account, not others
 Ex: Age of the universe vs. age of nearby stars

15.  Scientific Theories
 A theory is an explanation
for many hypotheses and
observations
 Supported by repeated tests
 Can predict what may
happen
 Scientists use models to
explain and change their
theories
 Examples: Big Bang Theory,
theory of evolution
 Scientific Laws
 A law is a summary of many
experimental results and
observations
 When a model correctly
predicts results of many
different experiments
 Tell you what happens- not
why
 Examples: law of the
conservation of mass